Politics & Government

Cafritz Developers Talk MUTC Plan in University Park

The developers behind the proposed Whole Foods project presented their new plan to University Park's mayor and council Monday.

presented their new MUTC-based plan Monday at University Park’s council meeting.

Cafritz Attorney Chip Reed said he was aware of, or mixed-use town center, they wouldn’t have a say. However, he assured them, he would like to continue to work with neighboring municipalities on the project, even though it’s based in Riverdale Park.

Reed presented the However, University Park’s council and audience were focused on the traffic issues, CSX crossing and Maryland Avenue entrance.

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Although the CSX crossing is planned and currently on their plan, Reed said the crossing and the Maryland Avenue exit wouldn't be funded until the second phase of the project.

Councilman Len Carey asked if the CSX crossing would be robust, but Reed said it would be one-lane each way with the separate but connected to it. 

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He said CSX’s engineering consultant, ACOM, were reviewing the plans for $15,000.

University Park was also concerned about the large amount of surface parking, set at the Route 1 entrance of the site.

Developers hope the park would act as a buffer, and it would be much different than the University Town Center set up. Reed said a parking garage would go into the commercial are in phase 2.

However, Councilman Michael Cron said he doesn’t believe the project will succeed.

“It’s doomed to fail,” Cron said, drawing comparisons between UTC and Cafritz.

Cron asked developers why they would want to build another mixed-use center so close to one that’s failing. He said although they want the property to be welcoming to local residents and customers, it may become welcoming to the wrong type of crowd, become an after-school student hang out and attract crime. He added that people in Prince George’s County hate parking garages.

Reed said this is smaller than University Town Center, and developers are aware of what failed there and hope not to repeat it. He also believes Riverdale Park would have a police substation on the property.

Reed also said the developers are seriously interested in creating a circulator shuttle system that interconnects with current public transportation systems.

Town Attorney Suellen Ferguson asked Reed about what the developers might agree to in regards to when the CSX crossing would be completed.

Reed said he realizes some of the approval would be contingent on the CSX crossing being built.

The meeting wrapped up rather abruptly as the town can only use University Park Elementary School until 10 p.m. and the meeting was going over the allotted time.


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